Nonlinear Fourier analysis for the infinite-interval Korteweg-de Vries equation. I: An algorithm for the direct scattering transform (Q806998)

The author investigates the nonlinear Fourier analysis of the wave motion governed approximately by the Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation on an infinite interval, assuming that the wave amplitude is given in the form of a discrete space or time series, determined either by experimental measurement or by computer simulation of the considered system. The developed numerical data analysis procedure is based upon the scattering transform solution to the KdV equation. A numerical method is given to evaluate the direct scattering transform (DST) of the space or time series; the approach provides a basis for analyzing and interpreting the nonlinear wave behavior in the wave number or frequency domain. The DST spectrum separates naturally into soliton and radiation components and may be simply interpreted in terms of the large-time asymptotic state of the infinite-line KdV equation. According to the author, this paper is the first in a series of papers about ``nonlinear signal processing methods'', representing an analogy of the well-known linear signal processing technique for the Fourier transform. [For part II see \textit{A. Provenzale} and the author, ibid. 94, No.2, 314- 351 (1991; reviewed below, Zbl 0729.65098).]